Didn't think i would be here but here I am

rogermoore said:

Didn't think I would be here
Dear Lew,

I'm sorry to learn you have become a member of the club no one wants to belong to. However, you will find this site to be invaluable in receiving input of actual experiences of men going through the same thing you are.

I cannot say enough about the professionalism of Dr. Smith and his staff at Vanderbilt. When diagnosed, I asked my local surgeon who he would recommend I go to for a second opinion. He recommended Dr. Smith, who impressed me so much I elected to have him perform the surgery. That was in 2001 and I was 58 yrs old.

At the time Robotics had not been fully developed and I had the option of "open" which Dr. Smith performed or "arthroscopic". I opted to allow Dr Smith to use the open method and have never regretted my decision. I was "extremely" concerned about nerve-sparing and expressed that to Dr. Smith. He did not disappoint me. My wife and I feel one of the luckiest things that has happened in our lives was that we were led to and, chose to have Dr. Smith do my surgery. His abilities far exceed his credentials

If you would like to talk to me personally feel free to e-mail me at this site.

Roger

P.S. From what I have heard and read the Robotic surgery is now considered the "Gold Std"

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lewvino said:

Thanks so much Roger! My
Thanks so much Roger! My Appt is at 10:15 Central Time Zone Monday Morning. I got a phone call from another guy that Had Dr. Smith for his robotic surgery 3 years ago. He is a member of the local Prostate cancer support group in the town that I live in and I will also meet him Monday evening for their monthly support meeting. It was nice of him to reach out and call me. That will be my first 'support group meeting.' I also called another local Dr. that does Robotic in Chattanooga and talked to his head nurse. He could get me in sooner but has only done 200 or so of the robotic surgeries. I think I want to stick with the specialist skill level with all them nerves and such. THough I was told I might have to wait several months for surgery appt with the specialist. if I choose that on Monday. I'm just tired of the waiting and want to get on with it and the recovery from the two big 'I's. Inconteninece and impotance!

Larry (lewvino)

ismetals said:

just one nerve
Just one nerve here Larry. It's been about eight months and things are just starting to work better. As the say one is better than none. What I am doing is keeping my head in the game and enjoying any signs of improvement. I have to tip my hat to jim (RRMCJIM) one week out and the morning woody is back. Those were the days.

lewvino said:

Glad to hear you are
Glad to hear you are recovery so quickly Jim. Not the same as when you were younger but wow sex 17 days post op. Go ROBOT!

larry

rogermoore said:

Doctor's appt
Larry,

I wouldn't be too concerned if you cannot get the surgeon you want right away. I had to wait three months to get in myself. He will tell you (if he doesn't you should ask) if the waiting creates any additonal risk.

It is extemely important that you get the Dr. you want, even if you have to wait a little longer. You don't want to be second-guessing yourself down the line.

Again, Good Luck.

Roger

lewvino said:

Roger,
My wife and I were
Roger,
My wife and I were both very happy with him. Had to wait a while which we expected since I'm a new patient and knew that he would probably spend more time with me then just a 'follow up patient.' When he came in the room he immediately starting chatting and I could tell he had studied my chart. We talked a little about my dads Prostate Cancer and his treatment and about my mother having Breast Cancer. He told me they are doing a study at Vanderbilt that shows another risk factor if your mother has Breast Cancer. I said well here I am another statistic for your study. Just in his little pre talk he answered the majority of my questions before I even asked them. He asked if I was still going to explore some more options and I said No, I'm ready to schedule. So I'm on the books for hospital pre-op on Aug. 11 and the actual surgery on Aug 12. Was hoping for something a little sooner but just glad it is booked.

A little dissapointed with the work situation since I have to use up all my vacation time before they will give the medical leave, so that means no vacation at the ski slopes this year. Unless I do a day trip to NC or VA on the weekend. Had really wanted to hit the slopes out west this year.

After the appointment I went to a local Prostate cancer support group here at the local hospital. 4 men there and every one had been treated by Dr. Smith! Also they told me that another man they knew was having the surgery today with Dr. Smith, so he has been in my thoughts all morning.

I'm relieved that I have a plan in place now and just have to wait till August 11th/12th.

THe lady that scheduled surgery for me actually gave me a hug when I left. I told my wife that is the first time I have ever received a HUG at a doctors office.

Larry (lewvino)